Payment Plans
If you cannot make your tuition payment all at once, you may enroll in a payment program through Nelnet. Once enrolled, you can pay your tuition balance in five monthly installments per semester. There is an enrollment fee of $75 and payments are interest free.
To enroll in this program you may contact Nelnet directly through www.mycollegepaymentplan.com/necmusic. Enrollment in the program must be completed prior to the due date indicated on the Student Billing invoice.
Loans
Many students and families borrow loans to help finance their college education. We strongly recommend that borrowers take out federal loans before turning to private lenders. There are two types of federal educational loans presently available to NEC students who are US Citizens or Permanent Residents: the Federal Direct Stafford Loan (for students) and the Federal PLUS Loan (for parents or graduate students). The terms and interest rates of these loans are set and monitored by the Department of Education.
Federal Direct Stafford Loan
This loan is a low-interest federal loan that is made to the student. There are two types of Stafford loans: subsidized and unsubsidized.
Subsidized loans are available only to domestic undergraduates who demonstrate financial need. They are called “subsidized” because the federal government, not the student, pays the interest on these loans while the student is enrolled at least half-time and during a six-month “grace period” after the student graduates or leaves school.
Unsubsidized loans are available to domestic students regardless of financial need. They are called “unsubsidized” because students are responsible for the interest these loans accrue while the student is in school; they may choose pay the interest periodically while enrolled. Any unpaid interest will be capitalized (added to the loan’s principal) when repayment begins six months after the student graduates or leaves school.
Learn more about Federal Direct Stafford Loans
Federal Direct PLUS Loan
This loan is a credit-based federal education loan available to graduate students and the parents of dependent undergraduate students. Borrowers with no adverse credit history may apply for up to the cost of education (for one academic year at a time), less any other financial aid.
Learn more about Federal Direct Plus Loans
Private Student Loans
A variety of private loan options are available to undergraduate and graduate students and/or their families. These loans are offered by private lenders and are usually credit-based. We strongly recommend that borrowers only use private loans as supplemental funding after exhausting all other sources of financial aid.
When researching loan options, we advise taking into consideration the loans’ interest rates as well as any origination, disbursement, and repayment fees. We are happy to answer questions or provide information as you work to identify the program(s) that best suit your family’s needs.
A list of private lenders that NEC students have used over the past three years can be found below. Please note that this list is not comprehensive and does not constitute an endorsement of any lender.
Lender list
Citizens Bank
College Ave
Discover Student Loans
EDvestinU
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority
PHEAA
Sallie Mae
SELF
SOFI
VSAC